The Turn: The Hollows Begins with Death (The Hollows 0.1) by Kim Harrison

Can science save us when all else fails?

Trisk and her hated rival, Kalamack, have the same goal: save their species from extinction.

Death comes in the guise of hope when a genetically modified tomato created to feed the world combines with the government's new tactical virus, giving it an unexpected host and a mode of transport. Plague takes the world, giving the paranormal species an uncomfortable choice to stay hidden and allow humanity to die, or to show themselves in a bid to save them.

Under accusations of scientific misconduct, Trisk and Kal flee across a plague torn United States to convince leaders of the major paranormal species to save their supposedly weaker kin, but not everyone thinks humanity should be saved.

Kal surreptitiously works against her as Trisk fights the prejudices of two societies to prove that not only does humanity have something to offer, but that long-accepted beliefs against women, dark magic, and humanity itself can turn to understanding; that when people are at their worst that the best show their true strength, and that love can hold the world together as a new balance is found.

Pet’s $0.02

I’m not sure I can actually say I loved this book. The writing is just as good as Harrison’s writing always is. I was just as engrossed in the characters as I always am and it gave a perfect explanation for how the plague that wiped out a good quarter to half the human population started and the Inderlanders came out of hiding.

There are two individuals in the story that I have looked forward to seeing in every Hollows book and that they’re part of this one is a huge plus. I have a soft spot for Quen. He has always been my favorite of the all the Elves. He works security for the Kalamak’s and here we see how he came to that position. You also find out how his perfect Elf visage became scarred and how he lost his best friend and the woman he loved to Kal. I may be reading love into that relationship that Harrison may not have intended, but I don’t think I am.

Then there’s Algaliarept…I know he’s a demon. But, dammit…I love that demon. He’s so wonderfully naughty. I look forward to scenes with Al. Slippery doesn’t even do him justice. I know he’s only out to serve his own purposes above all others, including fellow demons. I know that given the chance he will destroy whoever has summoned him. But, the demon has a job to do and if you’re dumb or desperate enough to summon him then really, whatever happens is on you. Thinking you’re smart enough to outthink a demon is your first mistake. Welcome Algaliarept, I missed you.

Daniel is a new player in this series. The only true innocent in my opinion in this whole shit show. He was in love with Trisk who was only using him to get closer to his genetics work. His work and all the good it could have done was destroyed through no fault of his own and he is the only one who ended up the true loser in this book.

As for Trisk and Kal. It’s complicated.

I understand Trisk’s drive to finally get credit for her work when the whole Elven Enclave denies her any recognition due to her being a Dark Elf and a woman. It’s easy to see she’s smarter than Kal when it comes to genetics but her summoning a demon kind of negates that intelligence. It’s noble that she wants to expose the T4 Angel tomato as the cause of the plague so that more humans don’t die, but rolling over and going along with Kal and the Enclave kind of killed any kind feelings I had towards her. She is a character that I had a hard time feeling any sympathy for. Because in the end she gave up everything she wanted for nothing.

Now…Fucking Trent Kalamack.

You know, it took me a long time to begin to like Trent (Kal) in the Hollow’s series. It was book six or seven in the series before I started to think maybe he wasn’t as much of an asshole as he came across at the beginning. It’s surprising that Trent in the Hollow’s series turned out as well as he did with a father like Kal. He is just a self-indulgent, arrogant, shallow and petty individual. His actions make me dislike all Elves. Except Quen, I’m choosing to ignore that Quen is an Elf…he can’t help what he was born as. I kept waiting…and waiting… for Trent to show some redeeming quality… All I can says is…that fucker…

If you’re a fan of the Hollows series should you read this book? Unequivocally yes!

This book is an important part of the series and even though I may not have been happy with what I learned of some of the players, I still like that it fleshes out the history of the Hollows and explains some of the later power plays. Harrison’s explanation for how the series began fit in seamlessly and while I may not have liked how some things panned out, I can’t really find fault in it. The plague was horrible, the losses high and you can’t really expect an HEA for everyone out of that kind of setting.

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